Airship



Jan. 15, 1935. w. NOELLE 1,988,328

AIRSHIP Filed Feb. 17, 1955 e sheets-sheet 1 annum 72 y 60 6' W. NOELLE Jan. 15, 1935.

AIRSHIP Filed Feb. 17, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 15, 1935.

w. NOELLE AIRSHIP Filed Feb. 17, 1933 6 SheetS-Sheet 3 Jan. 15, A1935.

'Filed Feb. 17, 1935 w. Nol-:L LE 1,988,328

AIRSHIP 6 Sheets-Sheet A4 Jan. 15, 1935.

AIRSHIP Filed F'eb. 1'7, 1933 6 SheetS-Sheel: 5

Jan. 1 5, 1935.

W. NOELLE AIRSHIP Filed Feb. 17, 1933 e sheets-sheet e r yUNITED i STATES PATENT .@oSFFlcE: i .y i 1,988,328 l i s y wiuiani Noelle, mileage, 111.-"y i f noolieationrehroary 17, 193s, serialNo. 657,203 l -16 claims. (Cl. :en -2),v y

This inventionvrelates toI air-ships. membermof the landing gearfrom the position;

Particular'objectsof the invention are: 5-5, Fig. 3; Y 1 1 .nils

To provide an'air-ship" of nevvand-novel eon= f Figure disavvertical longitudinal, central-se e Y struction, Which combines the safety and carrytional AVW f analrship' el'IlbOClBll'lg my-'nVeIl-- ing capacity of lighter-than-'air ships, with a JG1011 and-iimploVelleIltS. i mobility' comparable, in a measure, with that of Figure '7 is a somewhatwenlarged transverse,4 ausual air-plane:V Y y sectional View on theliney'1 '7. of Fig. `6, with To provide airarne `for van air-ship of novel parts-omitted. l oonstruetion, which will `impartv great strength Figures 8v to 14,` both-'inclusiva Vare enlargedand'rigidity Ato the ship,N but will, at the same fragmentary viewsshowingstructuraldetails. 10' time, be relatively light in weight, asfcornpared Figures toV l'lare enlarged views. illustrating with any air-ships of which I have any knbwl- Certain' operating details. c i Ai .1 edge; p 1 y Figure 18 isa side view vof'` amodied'formof .To'provide an `air-ship rendered buoyant byv frame, PaItClllarly designed'fand adaptefI 15 gas which slighter thanfair',`as helium gas, cfmusein the construction offrelativelylarge shipsyfl'V tained in gas-,bagsconnedindiierent compartand' -i l' l mentsv cfbentsdenedlby "the framing of the Figures 19 and 20 are enlarged sectional views. Ship: y e t l onthe lines 19e-19 and' 20-'20,1 respectivelyyof To provide a suitableenvelope or'covering ap- Fg- 13- l Y `20 plied t0 the frame 0f the ship to. enclose 'and Describing lthe inventionfwith reference .an'd' 205* protect the gas `bags or containers for the gas: lefeil'llg the lStinstance' 170,. F'igS. '1 *t9 1'7,` To provide for conveniently"applyingand reboth 111011151116, all @Alf-'Ship"GIIOCYIlg my' Il-'l moving lsaid protectivecovering or envelope: vention and improvements, designated asa WholeI To provide means for eontroumg-theight of A, consists of a rigid frame designated asa Whole the Ship whereby the ship will maintain sub- B, gas bags orlcontainers designatedcollectively` 25 stantlally even-keel? irl-night and, also,V in tak- C, a protective envelope orcoverlneD,particular@ ing-off and i'n'landing:4 v, I ly designedfand' adapted fory enclosingsaid ygas To provide an air-snip of the type speeied, bags and-protecting them from iniuryfI-landing equipped witheommodious and accessible 4cabin gears, comprisingeoeoperatine'units; each des-v accommodations for passengers: and ignated as a Whole Etsaid unitsbeing arrangedin w1 To provide improved landinggear, Whichmay transversely aligned" pairs ory sets on '-'opposite conveniently be adjusted for landing'the ship Sides Of the' Ship and COmPISllg afplllllty 0f either on land Or'water', such.y pairs lor sets-preferably ,two-positioned," To enee't the yobjeets thereof, an 'air-ship'emrespectively, substantially 'equal distances onfepf' bodyng my invention and-improvements' come posite'sides'of the longitudinal centerof thefship.y 35 prises the various features, combinations@ fea- The foregoing elements will now 4be describedin f tures vand details fof construction hereinafter dedetail? V '-f l Y'. scribed and-Claimed, l f In what I now consider tobe preferable con-r In the vwombnymg drawings, f1 which't struction, `vthe frame Bcomprises' alongitudinal;l

o invention is -fully illustrated, Centrally disposed mffmbefdesgnad 95a* Whole 40"' VFigure 1 is a side elevation of anair-shiper'n-l and transverse framescompnsmg 's ubstan" bodying myinvention and,y improvements, slriow` manyfupltcate framesarrgnggd symmetncauygt ing-thelanding gear adjusted--for llanding on a grgler; 'lxesllnglmdmalemey of saldi solid surface. l l .s Own there an? elght such, transverse frames designated, respect1ve1y,lb',-b2,1x45

` 'rfi'gul'eY 21S an @marge-d end elevation of the `band b4, duplicate frames'at opposite 'en'dsof ship from the left side' 0f Flg. -1' l the ship being designated-by the same reference Figure 3 ls a somewhat enlarged side View sub-` chaactersf f fr ,e i e e 1 f stantially the saine as Fig. 1, but Withthe outer In the preferame C0lflsi-,lfui-,ifjn shown, Lthe protective envelope v`or lcovering removed and frames'bL-bl` are of the same constructionias 50 without the cabin. f nearly as Amay be, differing only inlfsze, `each Figure Liis a transversesectional` elevation on thereof comprising membersl whichareprefer-f the line 4-4 of Fig. E Vvvitl'lv partsfrearw'ard from ably tubular, thus V'combining lightness with the plane of section shown'injdiagram". Y l requisite'strength\,fthe inner endsof which are Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of onel securecifto thelongitudinal frame-member h by 5l u fittings 2, as clearly shown in Fig.y 14 of fthev drawings. 1 As also appears, see particularly Figs. 3, 6 and 14, said longitudinal frame member b is a comcaps 9 secured to opposite ends posite structure, consisting of tubular sections 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of diilerent diameters, rigidly secured together one within the othery and in spaced relation. As shown, duplicate frames b'-b4'at opposite ends of the frame B are rigidly secured to opposite ends of the. tubular ,members H by ends ofsaid tubular-g secf.

the ttings 2 and; the

tions, respectively, are spaced from and rigidly secured to the next adjacent inner tubular sec@ tion by sleeves 8 on the ttings 2, which extend between theends of outer tubular sections and' the next adjacent inner tubular sections and are rigidly secured to both 14; Bothends of the inner tubular section 7 pro`-` jectbeyond .the endsof thenext adjacent .outer tubular section and secured to the ends there-f of byibr'azing, welding or other suitable means,

-are anchor capsj9, which .form the extreme ends ofthe frame A of the ship, and lthe function of which will presently be described.

Continuing the description of .the ,transverse frames b-b4, said frames-in addition tothe members:1',also comprise members 10 which, also,

are preferably tubular and extend parallelwwith differentmembers k1 and iare rigidly'connected to and rigidly connect the .same andv also each other; thusforming frames ofk great strength,A ylightness Yand `rigidity. As4 shown, said frame members 11 andk 10 Vare thus rigidly connected by fittings `11 having off-setbores 12, as clearly shown in Fig. ,11.r

v Asrshowmthe exterior of the ship VisvIkJOlyh-edral c in shape and in order that anclA may present a symmetrical appearance, the

radialdistances from'the axisoi the longitudinal member bto the `outer ends offthe. members 1 l andlO ofthe frames bb4, respectively,-is` the same and the angles ldeiinedl by lines connecting said pointsin the planesof 'said framesrespecf tively,`- are equal to each other.

In 'accordance with the invention, also, the

outer endsof corresponding members 1 and 10 of each transverse i:trame b-.b4 are-connected fore aridaft'with eachother and also with the anchor of the longitudinal 'V frame' member :b of the ship,by'cables 13, and

55 tinuous from endto end offthe ship, but consist ,the outer ends of the members land 1,0 of eachv frame bA-b.A are-,connected,transversely by cablesV 14. :"As shown, the `cables13 and 14are notc'on-f of separate sections connected to the end anchor caps 9 andito anchor caps 15 secured to theouter ends'of theframegmembers 1 and 10.' Asfshown,`

the'anchor caps 9 aremade in the form of disks and lformed thereon .are lugsY 16 which are-ar-fV ranged `in pairs at` ,diametrically` oppositey sides 0fsaiddisks and. compriseftwo,` ysuch 1 pairs -ar-v ranged atA `right angles to each other,vsa.,idl ugs beingfprovided witheyes for making cable cron-k Said caps-15 are, rigidly ,se-f cured to the outer ends of theframe members 1 and 10, preferable means for this purpose` nections thereto.

consistingvvof shanksior projections 17 thereon Whichp'are fitted into `the openings in theends;

of saidv frame members vand Abrazed,eweld eed;or otherwise secured therein. In installing@y said caps l5,- care should be'takenlthat the eyes inv `one set of lugs 16 shall alignrwith the line of teri-y 1 sion-of; the-cables 13which` extend; lengthwiseV thereof, preferably by` brazing or Welding, as also' clearly shown inFig.

it may be balanced,

1,988,323 l V lof the ship, and-with'the eyes of the other sec or pair of lugs into'which the transverse cables 14 are connected, in the planes of the different frames b'-b4 and insymmetrical relation to the members 1 and 10 in which they are secured, respectively. j

i With the construction shown, the Shanks of the caps 15 securedY in the frame members 1 are substantially of the shape shown inFigs. 12 and 13, with thefshanks 1,7extendingfaxially of the disk portions 4thereof,'while the Shanks 'oif the caps` 15 secured inthe frame members 19 extend at an angle tothe disk portions of said caps, substantially as shown in Fig. 13' of the drawings.

However, with the relation shown in the `drawings` see particularly Fig. 4-in which the different frames b--b4 comprise frame members 10` which 'are`symmetrically disposed with relation to the radial frame members 1 and are,r all of the Vsame length, the inclination of the shanks tively, will beuthe same and substantially as shownA in Fig. 13a. Thuswiththe construction jhown` in Fig.v 4 only two ldiilerent forms vof :anchor caps 15 will be required.` i

kvAs shown, also, the end anchor caps 9 are` substantially mushroom shaped and are recessed,`

as shownto form'interior ledges or shoulders 1K8, which, as` shown, extendr entirely aroundsaid capsrand are reinforced or strengthened by ribs 19 fwhich Aconnect said shoulders with ,the body portions of said. caps, and to provide for making cable connections to'saidY caps, said caps are prof, vided with holes 20 formed throughthe ledges` or shoulders 18 between Ithe strengtheningribs 19. Alsd in what I` now consider preferable conl17 of the anchor caps 15 secured thereto, respecstruction,V the Acables 13 are anchored to said caps by means of headed bushings 21 inserted through the. hfoles-`20 Aso that, the headsthereof Will `rest against ythe interior ledges or shoulders 18.

Formed on keach cablev to be anchored to said end caps 9 are `heads 22 and, after the bushings 21 have been inserted into position inv said caps, the cablesare inserted through'the holes in said bushing from the inside in position to rest in` contact with interior ledge or shoulder 18. Asy

shown, the caps 9 are secured to` theends of thev g inner tubular member 7 of the longitudinal frame member b by brazing or welding, the ends of said tubular members ,in fixedr engagement with sockets or recesses 23 formed in said caps, and for convenience of construction, the cables 13 yare connected to the end caps 9 vbefore said caps are: lsecured to the longitudinal memberb'.

The frame members, b-b,1 having been assembled, the cables A13 and `14 are applied to connect thev outer ends of theframev members 1 and 10 with 'each other, longitudinally, andfalso with theend anchor caps 9,` and, also, to connectsaidframe members l'gand 10 with each other transversely, attachment of saridcables being-made directly'to the eyes in the lugs 16-of T the vanchor caps 15, and to the holes 20 in' the end-caps 9. Said cables are then drawn taut and fastened.` l ...l

fAs best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the frame-B of the ship is divided transversely into separate compartmentsby the transverse frames bi-b4- which, however, are in open communication with each other-and confined inisaid compartments,

respectively, are gas bags C, which are so shaped and `proportioned that when said gas bags "are inflated, they will fill Athe spaces orcompartments in which they are positioned, In actual practice, ,j said gas bags will be supported out of contact y f C, to the outer vsides of theship,

with said transverseframs bL-'h '-whi'clt might punctureI o'rtear said bags-fby nets made: of. cord or ,other soft, pliable. material, .supported on@ said transverse frames' 'but in spaced. relation: thereto: Said nets are not. shown. inwthe drawings butcan readily bev .supplied .by skilled: mechanics'y without the. exercise of inventicn-.n:. '1. f "The gasfbags Cimayib'efmad'e of anyi'usualror desired material suitable for theV purpose and can readily besupplied by manufacturers familiar'. with such structures, without the exercise of in-' vention. Said gas bags necessarily will be pro-'- vided with holes or..passageways..c which extend lengthwise throughthem. and are` arranged .to receive the. central..longitudinal frame member; "be As shown, the passages inathe different` gas bags arev in; substantial. alignment with each other and iorm a lcontinuous passagewaylengthwise of the ship through' ysaid gasbags. `For reasons presentlyl explained, transverse passageways c",\ substantially similary to the'passages c, extend from said passages c vthrough :certain of the gas bags n being positioned substantially symmetrically at opposite'k sides ot the longitudinal center `of theship. In practice, tot insure passageways 'or openings c, c of'full contemplated size and to prevent'darnage to the gas bags C by persons using said passageways, expansion of said gas bags into said passageways whichwould contract and tend to close themsaid walls are vprotected vby and their full size maintained, by walls of suitable sheet material, as sheet aluminum oriwood veneers, which, con.- veniently, may be supported on the, structures of the walks 26,-;26', presently described. Such supportingwalls are not shown in the drawings, but

can readily be suppliedv by skilled. mechanics Without the exercise of invention.v

Collapse of the `gas bags C, when deflated, is preventedby attaching them to fra-me members l 'and ,1090i theiramesl,b--biv which define the compartmentsin whichsaid gas bags are mounted, respectively, said meansconsisting, asI shown, seeFigs. 'l and 3, of. straps and buckles 24 and 25 attached; togsaidbags andi adapted. to be connected over or across frame members l and 10. Said `gas bags willrbe equipped with any usual or desired apparatus for inating and deflating them. Apparatus for` .the purpose is oldand well l known andvcanreadily be supplied by mechanics familiar therewith, without the exercise of inven- 'ticnyand accordingly, Asuch means is neither herein shown nor described,v j A -As best shown' in ,-Fig. 7, a wak 26 is supported within the passagec and extends substantially the entire, 4length of .the ship, being shown. as hung from the upper transverse frame members l of each-frame Ire-b4, by suspension members 27, and supported within the transverse passageways c arewalks 26 which form lateral extensions vof the llongitudinal walk 26. ably, also, the walk 26 t ll be connected to the frame member b so as to prevent lateral swinging movement of said walk relative to other parts of the* ship--particularly the adjacent walls of the gas bags Cl which denne the passages c. Simple means for. thus preventing such swinging movement consists of Vlight cables which extend; around the member b, the ends rof which are attached to `the walk 26 at opposite sides of saidkrnember b, as shown at 28, Fig. 7.

Tol reduce wind `and other atmosphericv resistance to movement ci the ship, the frames b-bat both ends of the ship from the central section between the frames b'r, are progressivelyA and .symmetricallysmaller,J the `relation beingsuchxthat opposite ends of the .ship will' be vsim-- ilarlyf-tapered:Vv v

.'fheiraineYBocl the ship having been erected and the gas bags C' installed, the protectiveicovering. or envelope. D fis` applied. to i. the ship outside of theflframe Brand'zgas bags C. Said protective covering; preferablyfiwill; be-made of suitable` fabric, ascottoniduckiwhich has been impregnated with-rubberto renderathe same air and Water tightlandpractically inelastic; Inv order to shape said envelope or covering toI that of thexship', said material-:ris cutfinto sections whichv Aconform inf size and shape to vthe different sides` of the shiygnlthefedges of said sections-'being connected by' suitablegmeans, as zippers, thus rendering itv easyto adjust, said protective covering tof'and remove it fromtheship; k f v As shown, ,the` -extremeends kof said envelope or covering/'consistof5unitary hood sections 2,9,l which are proportione'dgtogt snugly over` the ends ofthe, ship, .which are quitesharply tapered, said hoodsbeing triade. of-substantially non.- stretchable fabric, as cotton duck, which maybe impregnated' r ubber,f ii desired, thus providing a secure anchorage forthe envelope or covering of rthe'y ship ta '.,bothends thereof.

In accordance withv thezppresent invention, the inherent buoyancy of the IshipJduetQg-as contained in thegas. bagsC, isksupplemented andA increased by theuse of*` wingssirnilar. to` those ofv air-planes. As. shown,- see. particularly Figs. l, 2y and 3,.'thesey comprisela or plane 30 secured in fixed. position atAthegfront of the'` ship, andY other adjustably mounted .wings 31 and 32, l."arrangedf, in"l frontl andv .rear transversely aligned. pairszon, opposite sideshf` the ship and which.' are designed ,to facilitate maneuvering both. in taking. offand landing'` said wings, also,y being so proportioned andfarrfanged'that they will exert-.a substantially equal lifting acum; thus tending to maintain ,the` ship on aneven-keel in flight.. ,o ff f `As shown, the wings 31 and 3 2, respectively, are mounted to turn on extensions of the horizontal frame members'l ,ofthe lframes bat opposite ends of the ship" and ar l'a.,1:vl'apted to be controlled byA a pilot stationed inv thepilot house indicated at' F atthe extreme forward end of.' the ship, as

best appears'in Eig. I6","ai id, i inv Figs.. 3' and 15, I have indicated, more 'or less diagrammatically, control: mechanism formanipulating, said adjustable wings, whichA may` exemplify any usual' or desired means for the"I Jurlzose,'such` as can readily be suppliedl bypersons skilled inv the yart without the exercise of in ntion'. Asshown, said control mechanism consists :of double bell-crank levers 33 an'd; respectively vpivotedr in pairs to opposite endsA of transverseshafts 35 and36, each of saidv bell-crank leversf vcomprising fa' lever arm 37 which extends at'right angles to theother arms thereof, and is'far'ranged' in -lin'ewiththe pivots thereof, said'arms 3'7 being vvconnected by links the pivot ofsaidw-ing,said-links 38 being piv` F, .an operating' lever.

posed sets i mounted directly' onthe projecting rear end of CSL tix

the directionof its flight, the means for control-V ling the flight of the ship also comprises rudders mounted atfthe stern o1' ytheship soasfto be piv`` otally adjustable and which comprises sets- 'or pairs of rudders arranged at right angles to each y other, the relation being suchthat. whentheship 2 is onan even-keel, saidpairs ofrudderswill be disposed in substantially,.horizontal and vertical planes', respectively, and the rudders ofeach pair orset 'being arranged on opposite sides of the In Figs.- 16 and 17, in which I have shown, diagrammatically, -the' arrangement and manner of mounting said rudders, 44 and 45 designate, respectively, the vertically and'horizontally disor fpairs of rudders, each o1' `which is the l frame member- 7 by substantially similar means Ywhich will now be described. Being simi-A lar, a description ofone vthereof will apply equally to both and to save repetition, vthe description F will, therefore; bein the singular. As indicated in said Figs. 16 and 17j, each' set or pairof rudders is secured toposts 46 so as to turn therewith." Said posts are fitted to members `47 forming partsof a'frame securedtoi said memberindicated inFig. 17. The inner ends of said Vposts are "rigidly secured to the'lat sides of what may be `described as an elliptical yoke 48, which surrounds the member 7 in spaced relation thereto, and formed on the inner, ends of said postsare studs 49 'which are rotatably iltted to p ivot bearings `formed ,inv a collar' 50 secured to said'member'l as'indicatedat 51,"the relation being such that said posts lwill kextend-substantially at' right angles tothe major axis of said yoke 48. Withthe described construction, it is obviousr that rocking movement of the yoke 48von its minor axis will "impart turning movement tothe posts 46 with *the rudders secured thereto, in one` direction or the other, as the case maybe.

In accordance with the invention, also, rocking movement is; adapted to be vimparted to said yoke similar to the means' 48 by means substantially for turning the bell-crank levers33 and 34 piv-v otally,y shown diagrammatically in Fig. 15 andheretofore described. Said control means may exemplify: anyV desired or .approved form of control means and can readily be` supplied bymechanics and engineers familiar with, such struc-` A tures withoutthe exercise of invention.

In ilight theship is adapted to befpropelled Vby enginesindicated at 52 Aand 53, theengine 52 befing mounted on the engines '53 on the adjustable'wings 31 and 32,1'n accordance withY usual or desired practice.4 Engi neersand mechanics familiar with such mechanisms Ycan readily'install saidengines without the exercise of invention' and it is', therefore,

deemed unnecessary to either show or describe the same in detail. g l f turn in bearingsformed lin.

ixed front wing 301and the means consists of drums f2:Inzaccordance'withcthe present invention, also,

my improved air'ship is equipped. wlthlanding I gearsv of new and novelnconstruction, arranged for-:settingitheship down either on land or water. To-effectthe object of the invention as it relates'4 to" providing 'landing gear whereby the ship f may be fset-down eitheron land or water, Iiwill first-describe in detailfthe construction o'f each landing gear unit E,'and will then, describe the manner of mounting and manipulating said units in accordance withmy invention to eiect this All of said units are substantially similar inconstruction andk a description of one thereof will apply equally totheothers andthe description of saidunit'wilL therefore, berlin the singular. In what I Anow consider preferable construction,

see particularly Fig. 5, each landing' gear unit E consists of a pontoon 54 and a wheel 55 mounted at opposite ends of a frame designated as a whole e, comprising a longitudinal beam or bar 56, pinned or otherwise secured intermediate its ends between a pair of spaced lugs 57 on thetop side` of the pontoon 54 adjacent its rear end, and a'tr'ansverse member 58 rigidly secured tothe front end of same beam or bar 56, formed at opposite ends of Which are lugs 59 pinned or otherwise secured between spaced pairsy of lugs 60 on the pontoon,

and rotatably mountedl in a yoke` 61 at the` rear end of'the beam 56 is a wheel 62, preferably a pneumatic wheel. erable construction, the pontoon 54 is made hollow and gas and water tight and conforms substantially in shape yto the wings`31 andv 32. installed'for use, said pontoon willbe llled with gas like that used for filling the .gas bagsCwhich, being lighter than of said pontoon and -to an extent, will assist yin sustaining its weight when in the air. v

As previously stated, the landing vgear units E' aligned kpairs or,

are arranged in transversely sets on opposite sides of the ship A and comprise a plurality of such pairs, as shown' two pairs positioned, respectively, substantially equal distances at opposite sides ter of the ship. l i

As shown, the longitudinal beams or members 56 of the `frame e of units E are connected at approximately their longitudinal centers by a shaft or krod 63 which is rotatably tted to sleeves 64 connected in fixed air, will increase tlie Abuoyancy of the longitudinal Iceneach pair of landing gear In what I now consider preil-r relation to rigid parts of the frame ofthe shipby y struts 65, 66 and 67, .the lower ends of said struts being brazed, welded `or otherwise secured vinto flanged openings`68 on the sleeves `64 and their upper ends, respectively,v being secured to extensions of thehorizontal members 1 of thetrans'-j verse frames b', b2 and b3 of the ships frame B. As described, it is obviousthat the shaftsor rods 63 to whichthe landing gear units E are secured, will be rotatably mounted in' lixed positionsy relative to the frame B of the ship, and ythat the different landing gear units E will tumwith said shafts. l f

In accordance with the inventionjthe vbeams or bars V56 of the landing gear units E are. adapted a person on the ship proper A. Asshown, saidk 69 rotatably mounted on relatively xed frames 70, see Fig. 4, positioned on opposite sides of the Yframe VB of the ship, means for rotatingsaid drums in both direci-.ions consisting, as shown, of wormfgears 71 f mounted on said frames 70, adapted for manual sorbers, indicated at to sprocket wheels 74 .secured ito the Y.drum :69' of `V both Worm gears,` whereby `rotation g'of either' of said 'worm gears willimpart rotation *to rthe other in the ,same direction. "'.g

.In landing on the igronnd,the-.drums 69 will ybe turned lin the :proper direction to :raise the pon-- toons `54 and to Elower the wheels 55 :offthe dand-v ing` gear units E :While` infalighting on: water, said drums will abe Aturned .finl the vproper direction to'raise the twheels 55. and to `depresszthe pon-- Also, to minimize shock :in 1anding,'shock ab- 75, :are :connected `into. vthe cables 72 between 4--the AA,drums :69 and 'the Vpoints of attachment of said cables tothe beams56.y Shock absorbers suitable :for the ypurposecan 4be purchased commercially orscan` readily :be supplied by tmechanics familiargrwith such devices and it is, therefore, deemed. nunnecessary .either to show 'or describe the same '-indetail.

In accordance with `my invention, the Vweight of the ship will `somewhat-exceed the buoyancy ofthe gas containedinthe'gasbags Candi'inithe pontoons 54,if inflated, the ship `being dependent upon the lifting f-.power vfof the Vwings `30, l3l vand :S2- under the propulsion of the engines A52 zand 55E-to cause it to vtake-ofi" and' to sustain it in the yair during its flight, the rease of y the `taker-oill and thefrapidity of the ascent .depending 'ztoxa large-'extent of the ship, including any load,` to the. lifting power ofthe gas Y'with which :the gas' -bags C are. the morel delicate the bal-f will ltake-01T .and

charged. Obviously, ance, the more Irapidly the Aship the faster it will climb. ,f

In Figs'. 1, 2 and V6 ofthe drawings, I--have Xindicated diagrammatically,

have .indicated atf'76 :a` ladderwhich connects said cabin with the passagewayac' which extends lengthwise of pjthe, ship, fthe intervening; gas bagl C being provided with a wall orfpas'sage'way v577 for sai'dla'dden vL-Also.,"the ship is equipped with a boarding and landing ladder pivotally connected to the floor of thev ship and, in `flight, arranged to be swung up into a recess formed in the bottom of the cabin, as indicated atfl, Fig. 6. For ships of appreciably larger size than that for which the frame construction shown in Figs. 1 to 17 and heretofore described, are designed, my invention contemplates 4a modification of the frame structure shown in said Figs-1 to 17, with a View to imparting adequate strength to the frame to enable it to withstand the,I greater stresses to which it will be subjected in use.

In accordance with this modification, instead of a single composite longitudinal frame member b, I contemplate a construction comprising a plurality of such composite longitudinal members--as shown -including two arranged centrally of the ship, one at each end-having a common inner or core member which is 'continon the *balance 'between thek weight a; cabin designated G,v attached to and suspended 'from the transverse' frame members b of the frame y,of the ship, and

nous Afrom end .tozen'd of the ship, and fou-r `other compositefrarnemembersarrangedsymmetrically :around the .'central Vlongitudinal1f-ramemember :and in spaced-radial 'relation thereto.

`VSaid frame ,also icomprisesiframes substantially :e

rsimilarito the iframe :lf-beef lthe iframe structure shown in Figs. 1 to'1?,'which,'in accordance with the present modification .are rigidly .connected to' and rigidlylconnect .the -ends `of 'different tubular sections of different radially arranged'compositel frame members, saidlconnecting .means comprising tubular fittings provided with flanged sockets v in'which the ends foi yradiating members 'of said transverse frames are secured, preferably by brazing,r weldingor the like, Iand which also 4comprise V.spacing Asleeves .whichy are insertedlbetween the lendsv oi` outer vtubular iittings of lsaid composite:y longitudinal Pframe'members and the nextl inner tubular frame member Aland-'which` are brazed', welded'ror otherwise secured thereto, thus binding them' .rigidly together-all 1substantially as in the' frame construction shown in Y detail p As shown, the outer ends of members lof 'the different transverse 'frames'- are `connected--both longitudinally and transverselyby cablesas inr the construction (shown in Figs'. 1 `to1"'1,"fhereto fore described. -v

This modicationaas shown in Fig-s. '-1'8 to '20 in which b designatesjthezdiiferent composite longitudinalirame members of the fship, h' ytob corre'- sponding transverse frames lat opposite-'ends-"of the ship, l the memlbers'of lthe frames b, b'y vwhich are larranged `in radialrelation Ltothey central longitudinal frame of the-ship, lthe lframe inembers'of the -differentframes `b to D8 whichextend parallel withthe frame members l, ISthecables connectedto andwhichlconnect the outer ends yof the members '1V and 10 of eachlframe'bito b8`-and` 14 the cables which connect said" members 1 'and 10 transversely.-

-In practice, I :contemplate making the metal portions `ofthe ship foi duraluminfor other 4'com-f parablelighhstron'gmetahoralloy.

Iclaim: A.

1. In a frame Vfor anair-ship, thec'ombination of alongitudinal member .consisting of .a @plurality oft-@tubular 1.sections .of different vlengths. rand diametersflarranged in radiallyspaced relation one inside.;

structure, land 4transverse frames each .comprising members rgidlyconnected f to saidr ,longitudinalmemberand'other members rigidly connected' 55g lends of the adjacent outer tubular sections 'and rigidly secured to both thereof, transverse frames .-eachycompris'ing members rigidly connected to said longitudinal member and other membersA rigidly connected' thereto and to eachother.

3,. The frame for an air-ship specified in claim 1, which also comprises cables which connect the endsA of yframe members of'diiierent transverse frames fore and aft of the ship and whichare anchored to the ends` of the longitudinal frame member.

n A nother',f.means for .rigidly connecting?. said tubl arlsections together` to .form a unitaryv 2 fin which the sleevesV which secured tovadjacent Aframe i 42The1frame for an air-shipspecified in claim 1,'*in which the ends ofythe frame members of parts of fittings provided withv sockets in which the-inner ends of the frame members of the transverse frames connect to said longitudinal member are secured. v s l 6. The frame for an air-ship specifiedv in claim 1, in `which the `longitudinal frame member is continuous from end to end of the. shipy and anchorl members 'aresecured to the ends'thereof and also to vthe ,endsof the Amembers of each transverse Vframe, and Vwhich comprises, separate cable sections which connect anchorv members members -both longitudinally and transversely. '7. A frame for `an air-ship comprising a vplu-v rality-of longitudinalV frame members constructed substantiallyas specied inclaim 1, comprising centrally` arranged members having a common innermostmember, and otherlongitudinal membersvspaced radially from; said central member,

. the relationv being-such that the ladjacent ends of said radially spaced and` centrally disposed frame members will overlap. 1 8. A frame vfor-anl airship comprising a plurality of longitudinal frame members constructed substantially as specified in claim; 1, comprising centrally arranged `members having a common` innermost member,l and otherlongitudinal members spaced radially from said central member,

therelation being such that the adjacent endsof said radially spaced andy centrally disposed frame memberswill overlap, and transverse frame mem'l` bers connected to and whichrigidly connect the overlapping ends of said longitudinal frame members. 1

9. A structural element'for an air-'ship consisting of a plurality of .tubular-sections oi'..different lengths and diameters arranged in radially spaced relation one inside .oflanothen and means for rigidly connecting said'tubular sections together toy `form a unitary structure.

10. A structural element for an air-'shipjconsi'sting of aj plurality of tubular s-:ctions'of diff ferent lengths and diameters, arranged in radial lyjspaced relation'oneinsideof another, 'means' for rigidly connecting said tubular'se'ctions Vtogether to form a unitary structure, consisting of sleeves inserted between said tubular sections, respectively,.and the ends of the adjacent outer tubular sections and' rigidly secured 'to both thereof. r y

- 11;The E structurall relement' specified inA 'claim 10 in which the sleeves which connect the'tubular sections.: of the longitudinalf` frame. member -form parts `of fittings' providedl with sockets `forfsecuring other frame meinbersthereto;y y j 12; The frame for .an`v air-ship specified. in claiml 1', in which themeans for,` connecting the transverse 'frames thereto comprises fittings secured to said tubular sections, respectively, pro-` vided with flanged recesses.. in which the inner ends of members Yof transverse frames are secured,l and formed on whicharesleeves propor-v tioned to enter-'between vthe 'tubular members to which said fittings arersecured, respectively,and the endsoi*` the adjacent outer tubular members and which are rigidly secured to boththerof.

13.y 'Ihe ,frame for an air-ship specified fin claim 1, "thexinner tubular memberoi `which `is continuousfrornend,totend oi theship and the others are successivelyshortenkan'd'which com-1 prises 'means'.for `rigidly 'securing the ends i of outer tubular members to thenext adjacent inner tubular members, respectively. A C. v

y 14. 4In an air-ship, thelcombination of a rigid frame'p'rovided with interior' compartments, gas bagscontainedinsaid compartments,;and a protective covering applied tolthe frame of the ship arranged to enclose the ship exceeding the buoyancy of the vgas Lin the gas bags, aV landing gear :adapted for bringing the ship. down both 'on land and Water comprising duplicate 'sets of landing gearsy mounted on the frame of the ship symmetrically'on opposite sides of its longitudinal center, 'eachof said mounted atoneiend thereof yand a Wheel rotatasaid gas bags, theweighty of` Y bly mounted at its other end, a shaftlwhich con-` l nects the beams of transversely aligned landing gear units,V means rfor rotatably mounting said shafts-on Vthe frame of the air-ship comprising` sleeves provided with bearingsY to which said shaft is' rotatably ftted, struts which connect said= sleeves with rigid` partsof` the frame of lthe air-ship` and'means for turning `said beams piv-` otallyv-.toraiseand lower opposite ends thereof to 'depress either the'pontoons` orthewheels car'- .ried thereby into voperating position,las desired.

1'5`. 'I'hecombination specified inr claim 14, in which the .'pontoons'are hollow andaregas and watertight whereby,

filled with buoyant gas.

16. The combinationspecied in claim 14, in

`which the means for turning the beamsof the landing gear units pivotally compriseiresilient "WILLIAM NOELLE.

shock absorbers.

in operation, they :may beV 

